An overview of Broad Street from this past June's Little Poland Festival in New Britain. Courtesy photo.

When New Britain attorney Adrian Baron decided to join forces with local business owners in 2012 to spearhead a Little Poland festival on New Britain's Broad Street, little did he know the festival would soon draw tens of thousands of people to the heart of New England's largest Polish-American community.

Within seven years, it has grown to such an extent that it attracts about 35,000 people for the one-day festivities. Today, celebrities such as singer Debbie Gibson, rappers Ice T and Flavor Flav, and actors John Schneider and Billy Baldwin do promotional videos for the event that features Polish dishes, musical acts, cultural presentations and folk dances from various regions of Poland.

But getting what has been dubbed the most popular Polish-American festival in the region off the ground wasn't all that easy.

Baron, 45, is a partner with Podorowsky Thompson & Baron, where he specializes in personal injury, real estate and criminal defense work. His prior practice involved a five-year stint with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s environmental litigation clinic. He graduated from Pace Law School in 2004, and relocated to New Britain in 2005.

At that time, crime was rampant on Broad Street, and drug paraphernalia on the streets were commonplace.

Soon after, Baron became founder and executive director of the Polonia Business Association, and he said victims of crimes would often contact him for help navigating the court system. Through the association, investors and residents became emboldened enough to partner with each other and police to slowly rid the area of its crime problem.

"Business owners began to install cameras. There was more of a police presence, and attitudes changed," Baron said Friday. "Crime victims were not passive like they used to be. We began to open up a dialogue with the police, and foot patrols began."

In time, the area became safer.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart called Baron "one of the most vocal advocates for the Little Poland district."

"We are proud of the work that he has done to bring new visitors to Broad Street," Stewart said.

New Britain has a population of 20,000 Polish-Americans, the largest in all of New England, according to Baron.

To display community pride, Baron helped lead a committee to sponsor a Polish festival.

About 750 people attended the first showing. But through word of mouth and local advertising, festival attendance has grown each year, surpassing 35,000 visitors in June, and encompassing about five city blocks.

New Britain attorney Adrian Baron at the Little Poland Festival on Broad Street in June.

"The whole point of the festival was to celebrate the neighborhood's revival," Baron said. "It also reintroduced the city of New Britain and Broad Street to people who have not been here for a while, and might only remember it as being streets full of crack and constant crime."

Baron also promotes Broad Street in giving tours to prominent groups and individuals. His tour guests have included two Polish ambassadors, the former U.S. ambassador to Ireland, four members of the U.S. Congress, Polish parliamentarians, three world heavyweight fighters and various celebrities.

The attorney said his efforts are in homage to his grandfather. who worked as a mason and butcher on Broad Street.

"For me, it was important that my law firm is on the same street as where my grandfather was more than 50 years ago," Baron said. "I feel like I am giving back to the community in a small way."